Combined rocking and reclining chair



3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

P. O. LEWIS.

COMBINED 300mm AND REGLINING CHAIR.

(No Model.)

No. 452,713. PatentedMay 19,1891.

Pear? 65L ewl' (No Mbdel.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

P. G. LEWIS.

COMBINED ROCKING AND REGLINING CHAIR.

No. 452,713. Patented May 19,1891.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

- P. O. LEWIS.

COMBINED ROCKING AND REGLINING CHAIR No. 452,713.

fearl Clea/1'6 tail view, Fig. 10.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC PEARL CLINTON LEVIS, OF CATSKILL, NENV YORK.

COMBINED ROCKING AND RECLINING CHAIR.

SFECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 452,713, dated May 19,1891.

Application filed April 2, 1889. Serial No. 305,711. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

' Be it known that I, PEARL CLINTON LEWIs, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Catskill, in the county of Greene and State of NewYork, have invented a new and useful Improvement' in Combined Bookingand Reclining Chairs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to convertible combined rocking and recliningchairs; and it is an improvement on the convertible chair for whichLetters Patent of the United States No. 386,142 were granted to me onthe 17th of July, 1888.

The object of my present invention is to produce a chair which shall bewell adapted for use as a reclining-chair for railroad-cars, as well asfor the general purposes of a reclining-chair.

The invention consists in various improvements in the construction,arrangement, and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter fullydescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, Figure l is a side view of my improvedreclining-chair extended and ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalvertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a side view showing theback of the chair raised and theleg-rest shoved back under the seat.Fig. lis a rear elevation of the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectionalview taken on the line as 00 of Fig. 4:. Fig. 6 is a detail view, on alarger scale, of the pivoting device upon which the seat is mounted,showing, also, the

supporting-springs. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail view taken on the linea a in Fig. 6. Fig. 7 is a detail view, on a. larger scale, of the frontend of the track which serves to support the sliding leg-rest. Fig. 8 isa perspective detailview of the spring-holding device which connects theseat-frame with the back of a chair. Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional viewtaken through the double-wedge-shaped brace which connects the rockingseat with its base. Fig. 10 is a detail view. Fig. ll is a detailed vertical sectional view taken on the line 11 11 in Fig. l and at rightangles to the sectional de- Fig. 12 is a perspective detail view of oneof the plates or castings 11 and cap-plates 20.

The same letters and numerals refer to the same parts in all of thefigures.

A designates the supporting-frame or legframe, which consists of atripod having a central vertical bearing for the spindle B of therevolving base-frame C. The details of construction of these parts arenot of importance, but may be modified to suit the conditions underwhich my improved chair is to be used. hen the chair is to be used forrailroad purposes, the leg-frame may be provided with means for securingit to the floor. For household use it may be mounted upon rollers orcasters.

The side pieces D D of the revolving base have curved upper sides tocorrespond with the curved under edges of the side rails E E of theseat-frame F. The seat-frame, as well as the revolving base, ispreferably made of cast-iron in order that sufficient strength may besecuredwithout an excessive bulk of material; or, when preferred,cast-iron and wood together may be used in the construction of the saidframes. To the inner sides of the side pieces of the revolving base arebolted or otherwise suitably secured the inverted-T- shaped castings GG, which are provided with lugs H to receive the fastening bolts orscrews.

The horizontal arms of said T-shaped castings are provided near theirends with later ally-extending lugs I I, two or more at each end,adapted to receive the loops J, formed at the ends of thesupporting-springs K. These loops are simply adjusted over the properlugs, and are then retained in position by means of washers L and boltsM entering suitable screw-threaded recesses in the lugs I. The upperends of the vertical arms of the T-shaped castings G are provided withrecesses or bearings N to receive pivots O, which are formed at thelower ends of the vertical arms of T-shaped cast-ings P, which arebolted or otherwise secured to the inner sides of the side rails of theseat-frame. The ends of the horizontal arms of the castings P areprovided with laterally-extending lugs Q, corresponding with the lugs Iand adapted to receive the loops R at the upper ends of the springs K,which are secured by means of bolts and washers L M, the same as thelower ends of the springs. It will be seen that the tension of thesprings K may be regulated by adjusting them upon different lugs upontheir respective castings; also, that the front springs may be soadjusted as to be more or less stiff than the rear springs, as maybedesired. It will also be seen that by the herein-described method ofmounting the seatframe pivotally upon its base the curved or bottomridges of the seat-frame and its base are equidistant from each other atall points to which the seat-frame may be rocked or oscillated and thatthe much-desired throw of the seat-frame is thereby attained.

To the upper sidesot' the side rails E of the seat-frame are hinged orpivoted the links S, the upper ends of which are in turn pivoted in thefront ends of the arm-rests T. The rear ends of the latter are connectedpivotally with the side rails U of the back-frame, and the lower ends ofthe latter are hinged or pivoted to the rear ends of the side rails ofthe seat-frame. The connections between these parts is substantially thesame as that shown in my patent, No. 386,142, above referred to, and byreason of this construction I am enabled to adjust the back withrelation to the seatframe in the same manner as in the said patent. Toretain theback-framein any desired adj ustment with relation to theseat-frame, I also employ devices somewhat similar to those shown in thesaid patent, the same consisting of braces V, connected pivot-ally tothe links S and extending through clamping devices YV, which areattached to the side rails of the seat-frame. The braces V are madesegmental or slightly curved, and they are made tapering, orwedge-shaped from their pivotal point toward their outer ends, in orderthat when the pressure of the clamping devices upon the said braces isreleased the back may be allowed to descend toward a horizontal positionevenly and gradually by the weight of the person occupying the chair.The clamping devices comprise a rod ext-ending transversely through theside rails of the seat and composed of two parts or sections X X,connected by a right and left hand threaded sleeve or cup. One of thesections X is provided at its outer end with an eye Y for the passage ofthe brace, the extreme outer end of said section forming a plate orrosette Z, the inner side of which bears against the outer side of thebrace. The eye Y works in a countersunk recess in a plate or washer 2,which is adjusted upon the rodsection X and bears against the outer sideof the seat-frame. The other section X is provided at its outer end witha similar eye Y, and it has ascrew-threaded extension 3, upon which isadjusted a hand-wheel l, the inner side of which bears against a washer5, having a countersunk recess to accommodate the outer half of the eyeY, the inner half of which is accommodated in the recess of a similarwasher G, which is interposed between the brace and the outerside of theseat-frame. It will be seen that by this construction, when thehand-wheel 4; is tightened, both of the braces V are simultaneouslyclamped between the respective plates or washers. When, on the otherhand, the hand-wheel is loosened by the person occupying the chair, theweight of the occupant upon the back of the chair will gradually forcethe wedge-shaped braces in a downward direction, thus lowering the backgradually and evenly and without the sudden jerky motion which isexperienced when braces of the ordinary construction are used. As willbe seen, the herein-described construction of this mechanism, whilesomewhat similar to that shown in my former patent, is simplified, inthat I omit the operating hand-wheel at one of the sides of the seat.The construction, while much more effective, is thereforelesscomplicated, and hence preferable. By the construction shown in myformer patent, it the operator should forget or neglect to operate bothclamping-nuts and hand-wheels simultaneously, or if in attempting to letdown the back while his weight was upon it he should unscrew one of theclamping-wheels faster than the other, the curved brace would slide downfaster on one side than on the other, and as a consequence the back ofthe chair would soon become racked and loose and the glued joints wouldeventually break. Again, in the cheaper grade of chairs, where thecurved braces are made of malleable iron galvanized, there wouldoccasionally be small bumps or enlargements, and it would be necessaryto unscrew the clamping-wheel on that side until such enlargements wouldpass through the slot in the clamping-rod, and as soon as this occurredthe brace on that side of the chair would run through the clampingdevice until the gradual increase of the wedge should take up thelooseness. This also would rack the back to the detriment of the chairand the discomfort of its occupant. By the use of my improved clampingdevice such accidents cannotoccur. The turning of the single hand-wheeloperates both sides simultaneously and equally, and as a consequenceboth sides of the back are let down equally and alike under allcircumstances. There being only one clamping-wheel, it is of courseimpossible that one side should be loose and not the other, as thepressure is the same on both sides at all times. The importance of thewedge-shaped braces in this connection is also great. If braces of equalthickness throughout were used, great pressure of the clamping deviceswould be required to sustain the weight of a heavy person reclining uponthe back of the chair, while by the use of the wedge-shaped braces thebraces themselves jam against the clamping devices, and, no matter whatthe weight upon the back may be, it may be let down easily and graduallywith the utmost facility by operating the single clamping-wheel.

In my former patent the side rails of the back-frame are pivoted to theouter sides of the seat-rails, as well as the links that support thearm-rests, while the latter are pivoted to the outer sides of the siderails of the back-frame. By my present invention I prefer to pivot theconnecting-links to the upper sides of the side rails of the seat-frameand to the under sides of the arm-rests, the rear ends of the latterbeing pivoted to the front sides of the side rails of the back-frameand. the lower ends of the latter being turned on top of the seat-rails.By this construction space is economized and the parts are caused tofold together more compactly than would otherwise be the case, besidesmaking iron instead of wooden bearings. In order to effect thisconstruction, I employ the connecting-castings 7, secured, respectively,to the seat-rails, the back-rails, and the under sides of the arm-rests,and having webs or flanges 8, that are fitted in cuts or kerfs 9 in theadjacent ends of the links S and in the rear ends of the arm-rests, saidwebs or flanges being provided with perforations 10 for the passage ofthe pivotingbolt-s. To connect the lower ends of the side rails of theback-frame to the rear ends of the seat-rails, I employ the plates orcastings 11, which are secured to the inner sides of the seat-rails bymeans of screws or bolts and are provided with upwardly-extending lugs12, having erforations 13 to receive the bolts 14, upon which theback-frame is pivoted. The plates 11 are provided with lateralinwardly-extending oylindrical lugs 15, upon which are coiled thesprings 16, having upwardly-extending arms 17, which bear against theback-frame of the chair, to which bearing-plates 18 are attached toreceive the pressure of said spring-arms and prevent the latter fromscratching or injuring the material of the chair. The opposite ends ofthe spring-coils 16 are provided with angular arms 19, that catch underthe rear rail of the seat-frame. that by this arrangement the coiledsprings serve to force the back-frame of the chair in an upward andforward direction when the pressure upon adjusting-braces V is released.The springs 16 are retained in position upon the cylindrical lugs 15 bymeans of angular or L-shaped cap-plates 20, which are secured by meansof screws to the rear rail of the seat-frame. The inner sides of thesaid capplates are provided with recesses 21, fitting over the outerends of the lugs 15, so as to retain the parts securely with relation toeach other and to insure neatness of finish and convenience in puttingthe parts together.

One of the plates 11 is provided at its lower end with a flange 22,having a downwardlyextending lip or lug 23, provided with a perforation24. Between the said lip and the side rails of the seat is inserted theupper end of the brace 25, by means of which the rocking seat isconnected with the revolving base. The upper end of the said brace ispivoted upon a bolt or screw 26, extending through the perforation 24and passing It will be seen.

through the upper end of said brace and to the side rail of the seat.The brace 25 is made in the shape of a double wedge-that is, its sidesare made to converge from its ends toward its central or middle portion,or to the point indicated in the drawings by 27- which, when the seat isin its normal or horizontal position, registers with the clampingdevice, by means of which the said brace is grasped for the purpose ofretaining the seat when adjusted to any desired position. The saidclamping device consists of a bolt 28, extending through one of thesides D of the revolving-base frame, said bolt beingprovided at itsinner end with an eye 29 to receive the brace 25, between which and theinner side of the base-rail is interposed a plate or washer 30, having acountersunk recess 31 to accommodate the eye 29. The outerscrew-threaded end of the bolt 28 has a hand-wheel 32, the inner side ofwhich bears against a washer 33, interposed between the said hand-wheeland the side wheel of the base. It will be seen that when the saidhand-wheel is tightened the bolt is drawn up, so as to clamp the brace25 against the washer-plate 30, thus retaining the said brace and theseat in any position to which the latter may be oscillated.

It willbe observed, that owing to the doublewedge shape of the brace 25,the seat when adjusted to its normal position will be held with absolutesecurity, and that there will be no danger of the brace slipping ortilting by reason of excessive weight-being applied to either the frontor rear end of the seat. At the same time it will be noticed that whenthe latter is tilted rearwardly the pressure is mainly upon its rearend. \Vhen in this position there is no danger of the brace comingloose, because the pressure tends to wedge it more firmly in theclamping device. The same is the case when for any reason the seat maybe tilted forwardly and secured in this position.

The sleeve or bearing 34, with which the stationary base is provided toaccommodate the spindle B of the revolving base, is provided with aset-screw 35, adapted to bear against said spindle, for the purpose ofsecuring the upper revolving part of the chair in any position to whichit may be adjusted.

36 designates the leg-rest which is used in connection with my improvedreclining-chair. Said leg-rest is preferably constructed substantiallyin the same manner as shown in my patent to which reference has hereinbeen madethat is, it consists of a rectangular frame 37, which issuitably upholstered, and to the inner sides of the end rails of whichare pivoted the folding legs 38, which, when the device is not in use asa foot-rest, may be extended and retained in their extended position bymeans of suitable catches 39, thus forming a taboret or ottoman, whichmay be used independently of the chair. I would state, however, thatwhen my improved reclining-chair is to be used for railroad purposes itmay befound preferable to substitute for the upholstered leg-rest havingthe folding legs a plain cane-seat frame, which, in addition to beinglighter and cooler, has the advantage of occupying less space.

To the under sides of the side rails of the seat of the chair areattached a pair of curved metallic rails ll, which extend rearwardlyunder the seat-frame, and the front ends of which extend slightly infront of the latter, so as to form the brackets 12, the upper outer endsof which are provided with notches or recesses l3. Supporting-rails 63are secured to the side rails of the revolving base and are providedthroughout their length with a series of notches or ratchet-s it, and atthe extreme rear ends of rails ll stops 45 are provided. The saidtrack-rails may be attached to the seat-frame in any suitable manner, orthey may, when the seat'frame is constructed of cast-iron, be cast orformed integrally therewith. The distance of the said track-rails belowthe upper side of the seat-frameshonld be merely sufficient to allow forthe thickness of the leg-rest, which is to be supported thereon when notin use.

The side rails of the leg-rest frame are provided near their rear endswith laterally-extending cylindrical studs l6, which serve to supportand guide it upon the track-rails ii. The side rails of the leg-rest arealso provided near their front ends with similar studs 47 to engage theupper sides of rails ll when the leg-rest is not in use.

To the side rails of the leg-rest frame are pivoted the folding braces49, each of which consists of two pieces or sections 50, connected by aknee-joint 51, which, when the said parts or sections are extended so asto be in alignment with each other, shall hold them rigidly in thisposition. \Vhen the legrest is constructed with the folding legs, so asto be convertible into an ottoman, the side rails of said frame may beprovided with recesses 52 to accommodate the said braces, which may befolded therein and secured by suitable catches or retaining devices 53.

The operation of myimproved leg-rest will be readily understood from theforegoing descri ption, taken in connection with the drawings. \Vhen theleg-rest is not required, it is shoved back under the seat to theposition shown in Figs. 3 and 5,when it is entirely supported upon thetrack-rails, while the brackets or braces ii) are folded under the siderails of the leg-rest frame. Then it is desired to use the leg-rest,thefront rail thereof is grasped with the hand, and it is pulled in aforward direction until the supporting-studs 46 of the rear end of theleg-rest frame travel up the curved or inclined front ends of thetrackrails and drop into the notches l3 at the front ends of the same.By the same operation the folding braces will be extended orstraightened to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, when their rearends will engage the notches or ratchets 44, in which they may beadjusted so as to secure the leg-rest at any desired degree ofinclination with reference to the seat-frame. It will be seen that whenthe latter rocks or oscillates upon its pivots the leg-rest will receivethe corresponding motion which may be easily and without exertioncommunicated by the person occupying the chair in a reclining posture.\Vhen it is desired to return the back to an upright position, this iseffected automatically by the action of the springs 16 when the clampingdevices of the braces are released and the weight of the occupant takenoff the back of the chair. The devices for connecting the back pivotallyto the seat of the chair and for retaining the return-springs inposition are exceedingly simple, convenient, and durable, and whenprovided with the lugs 23, as herein described, they serve theadditional purpose of attaching to the seat the doublewedge-shapedbraces by which the seat may be temporarily connected with its revolvingbase, so as to prevent it from rockin \Vhcn these braces are attached bymeans of pivoting pins or bolts directly to the seat-rails, the rackingstrain to which they are subjected will soon weaken and loosen thepivotingbolts and render the devices ineffective and inoperative. By myimprovement the projecting lugs of the metallic plate form rigidbearings for the pivoting-bolts, and loosening or displacement of thebraces is positively prevented.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to securebyLetters Patent 1. The combination of the leg-frame, the revolvingbase, the inverted-T-shaped castings secured to the inner sides of theside rails of the latter and having notches at the upper ends of theirvertical arms, a rocking seat, the T-shaped castings secured to theinner sides of the side rails of the latter and having pintles at theirlower ends mounted in the notches of the inverted-T-shapcd castings, andcoiled springs connecting the horizontal arms of the T-shaped castingson both sides of the vertical arms of the latter, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, with the revolving base and the rocking oroscillating seat, of the T-shaped castings secured to the side rails ofthe said base and seat, with the ends of their vertical arms adjoiningeach other and provided, respectively, with notches or recesses and withpintles mounted therein, the horizontal arms of said T-shaped castingsbeing provided with laterally-extending lugs, and the coiledconnecting-springs provided at their ends with loops mounted upon said.

lugs, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the revolving base and the rocking seat, of theherein-described T-shaped castings provided, respectively, with notchesor recesses and with pintles mounted therein and forming the pivots uponwhich the said seat is mounted, the hori- ICC ' threaded recesses,

zontal arms of said castings being provided with laterally-extendinglugs having screvw and coiled springs having looped ends adjustable uponthe said lugs and the securing bolts and washers, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

4:. The combination of the back-frame provided with side rails, therocking seat, the plates or castings secured at the rear ends to theinner sides of the side rails of the same and having upwardly-extendinglugs to which the side rails of the back-frame are pivotally connected,the laterally-extending studs, and the coiled springs mounted on saidstuds and having arms that bear against the seat-frame and the pivotedback-frame, forcing the latter in an upward and forward direction,substantially as set forth.

5. The combination of the rocking seat, the plates secured to the siderails of the same and having laterallyextending studs, the back-frameconnected pivotally with the upper ends of the said plates, coiledsprings mounted upon the studs of the latter, having arms that bear,respectively, against the seatframe and the back-frame, and the capsattached to the seat-f ram e, serving to retain the said spring-coils inposition, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination of the rocking seat, the plates secured to the sideof the same and having laterally-extending studs, the backframe, theside rails of which are pivoted to the upper ends of said plates, coiledsprings mounted upon the studs of the latter andhaving upwardly anddownwardly extending arms, which latter bear against the rear side ofthe seat-frame, and bearing-plates secured to the side rails of thebaclefran1e to receive the impact of the upwardly-extending arms of thecoiled springs and having grooves forming seats for the saidspring-arms, substantially as set forth.

7. The herein-described connecting plates or castings attached to theinner sides of the side rails of the seat near their rear ends, andhaving upwardly-extending plates to which the side rails of theback-frame may be pivotally connected, laterally-extendin g studs uponwhich spring-coils may be mounted, and laterally-extending flangeshaving downwardlyextending lugs to which the seat-supporting braces maybe pivotally connected, substantially as set forth.

8. In a combined rocking and reclining chair, the combination, with therocking seat, of a double-wedge-shaped brace thick at the ends andtapering toward the center, pivotally connected to said seat at adistance from its pivoting-point or fulcrum, and a clamping deviceattached to the base and adapted to registerwith the narrowestpoint ofthe doublewedge-shaped brace, when the seat is in its normal orapproximately horizontal position, substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

0. The combination of the base, the rock- 1 ing seat, one or moredouble-wedge-shaped braces tapering from their ends toward theircenters, said braces being pivotally attached to the rocking seat, andclamping devices attached to the base and adapted to clamp and hold saidpivoted braces securely at any adjustment, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination of the rocking seat, the pivoted back-frame, thearm-rest pivoted to the front sides of the side rails of the latter, andthe links connecting the front ends of said arm-rests with the siderails of the seat, the segmental wedge-shaped braces pivoted to theconnecting-links, tapering from their pivotal points to their outerends, and the clamping devices consisting of a rod extendingtransversely through the side rails of the seat and composed of twosections connected by the right and left hand threaded sleeve, one ofsaid sections being provided at its outer end with an eye and arosetteplate and the other with an eye and an (3X7 tended screw-threadedportion, washers adjusted upon the outer ends of said rod-secof the seatand having countersunk outer sides, and a washer having countersunkinner sides, and a screw-threaded hand-wheel or nut adjusted upon theouter end of the rodseetion having the projecting screw-threaded end,the whole arranged and operating substantially as and for the purposeset forth.

11. The combination of the rocking seat, the pivoted back-frame, thearm-rests pivoted to the latter, the links connecting the armrests withthe seat-frame. the wedge'shaped braces pivoted to said links, a rodextending transversely through the side rails of the seat and havingeyes for the passage of said braces, and a screw-threaded extension atone end, and a washerhaving countersunk inner sides, and a nut orhand-wheel mounted thereon, whereby by tightening said nut or hand-Wheelboth the Wedge-shaped braces shall be simultaneousi y clamped,substantially as set forth.

1?. The combination, with the seat-frame, of the track-rails securedtothe under side of the same and having upwardly-curved front endsprovided with notches or recesses at their extreme upper or outer ends,and the leg rest frame having laterally-extending studs adapted to restin the said recesses and to slide upon the said track-rails,substantially as herein described.

13. The combination of the revolving base, the rocking-seat frame, thetrackrails secured to the under side of the same and having notches orrecesses at their front ends, the leg-rest frame havinglaterally-extending studs by means of which it may be supported detachably upon the said track-rails, the folding braces connected pivotallyto the sides of the leg-rest frame, and the ratchet-bars attachedto thebase to support the lower ends of the said braces when the latter are extended, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

tions against the outer sides of the side rails I Ill. The combination,with the rocking scat hinged together, substantiall as and [or the 10mounted upon therevoh ing base, of the Lracle 1 purpose set forth. railssecured to the seat-frame, the leg-rest In testimony that I claim theforegoing as mounted to slide upon said track-rails, and the my own Ihave hereto atfixed my signature supportingbraces connected pivotally t0the in presence of two witnesses.

sides of the 1Gf1GSt frame and adapted to PEARL CLINTON LEWIS. foldunder the latter when it? is slid back un- Witnesses: der the seat, eachof said supporting-braces \V. IRVING JENNINGS,

being composed of two parts or sections EMORY A. CHASE.

